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February 24, 2023
Today in Texas History
By Bandera Spirits of Texas
On this day in 1836, William Barret Travis, commanding the Texans under attack in the Alamo, wrote his famous letter addressed "To the People of Texas and All Americans in the World." In the letter, he pledged that he would "never surrender or retreat" and swore "Victory or Death."
The predominant message, however, was an entreaty for help: "I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch."
Travis knew that his men, besieged by Mexican forces under Martín Perfecto de Cos, could not hold out long without reinforcements. Inspired by his letter, more troops did make their way to San Antonio, but too few and too late to avert disaster. Travis was among the first to die in the battle of the Alamo, on March 6.
Pt 2: On Feb. 24, 1836, Travis officially assumed full command of the Alamo. He had previously been the commander of the enlisted forces, while Jim Bowie commanded the volunteer forces. Jim Bowie died after a short illness on the 24th of February.
The predominant message, however, was an entreaty for help: "I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch."
Travis knew that his men, besieged by Mexican forces under Martín Perfecto de Cos, could not hold out long without reinforcements. Inspired by his letter, more troops did make their way to San Antonio, but too few and too late to avert disaster. Travis was among the first to die in the battle of the Alamo, on March 6.
Pt 2: On Feb. 24, 1836, Travis officially assumed full command of the Alamo. He had previously been the commander of the enlisted forces, while Jim Bowie commanded the volunteer forces. Jim Bowie died after a short illness on the 24th of February.